Three dimensional cubic strategy game

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate to a three-dimensional (3D) strategy game in which various-shaped pieces are stacked upon a playing surface according to certain rules. The game pieces are 3D shapes funned by a combination of cubic units. Each cubic unit is a standard six-faced cube. Embodiments of the strategy game require at least two players, but these players need not all be human players. As players take turns placing pieces on the grid according to certain rules, the square cells become occupied by pieces and the players begin to place pieces on top of previously placed pieces, thus building a vertical “tower” out of the game pieces over the course of the game. After a certain condition is met, such as a player not being able to make another move according to the rules, the game is over and a winner and/or a loser are declared.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 13/834,781, filed Mar. 15, 2013; which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/624,078, filed Apr.13, 2012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety, including all figures, tables or drawings.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a three-dimensional (3D) strategygame in which various-shaped pieces are stacked upon a playing surfaceaccording to certain rules. While there are many tower-building games inthe art, the vast majority of these games involve player coordinationand physics rather than strategy, and none of them have the unique gameplay of embodiments of the subject invention. Embodiments of theinvention have educational value, in addition to entertaining players,as the game involves players to engage in spatial and visual logic, aswell as long-term strategic planning.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention involve the placement of various gamepieces on a playing surface. The playing surface can be any surface thatcan support the playing pieces in a sufficient manner to allow theplaying pieces to remain on the playing surface where they are placedand/or on the previously placed pieces on which they are placed. In anembodiment, a playing surface can be provided. Such a playing surfacecan have some indication of the boundaries for play. In an embodiment,the playing has indicators that assist the player to know where theboundaries for the game are. Such indicator can be lines, dots, apattern of colors, indentations, raised features, or other visuallyidentifiable features. In a specific embodiment, the playing surface hasno visual indicators to indicate the boundaries of play. In a specificembodiment, the playing surface can have a grid that has square cells.The game pieces can be 3D shapes formed by a combination of cubic units.These game pieces can be solid, hollow, porous, or have other propertiesas desired. Each cubic unit is a standard six-faced cube. In anembodiment, each face of the cubic unit is a square that is dimensionedto be the same size as the square cells on the grid provided on theplaying surface. The game pieces are composed of individual cubic unitsaligned orthogonally, and thus, in an embodiment having a grid patternhaving square cells, a game piece can be placed on the playing surface'sgrid such that it occupies one or more square cells.

Embodiments of the subject strategy game require at least two players,but these players need not all be human players. As players take turnsplacing pieces on the grid according to certain rules, the square cellsbecome occupied by pieces and the players begin to place pieces on topof previously placed pieces, thus building a vertical “tower” out of thegame pieces over the course of the game. After a certain condition ismet, such as a player not being able to make another move according tothe rules, the game is over and a winner and/or a loser are declared.

In some embodiments, the strategy game is played as a traditional boardgame, with the playing surface and game pieces made out of a materialsuch as mold-injected plastic or wood. In contrast, other embodimentsare implemented via electronic devices providing graphicalrepresentations of the pieces and playing surface, and are played viaelectronic devices, where a player either shares an electronic devicewith one or more other players, or uses an electronic device by himself.Embodiments can be implemented with a system that communicates eachplayer's moves to the other one or more players' devices, or to thesystem if one or more of the players is computer generated. In furtherembodiments, the electronic device on which the strategy game is playedis capable of directing one or more non-human, computer-controlledplayers to play with the human players and respond to other players'moves in a strategic fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 show a single cubic unit piece that can be utilized with anembodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 3-4 show a double cubic unit piece that can be utilized with anembodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 5-6 show a triple cubic unit piece that can be utilized with anembodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 7-9 show a quadruple cubic unit piece A that can be utilized withan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 10-11 show a quadruple cubic unit piece B that can be utilizedwith an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 12-16 show a quadruple cubic unit piece C that can be utilizedwith an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 17-21 show a quadruple cubit unit piece D that can be utilizedwith an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 22-25 show a quintuple cubic unit piece A that can be utilizedwith an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 26-30 show a quintuple cubic unit piece B that can be utilizedwith an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 31-33 show a sextuple cubic unit piece A that can be utilized withan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 34-38 show a sextuple cubic unit piece B that can be utilized withan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 39-44 show a sextuple cubic unit piece C that can be utilized withan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 45 shows an illegal void in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 46 shows a legal touch in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 47 shows an established 4×4 cubic unit boundary in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 48 shows a standard two-person game in play in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention relate to a three-dimensional strategy gameplayed with a plurality of cube-based game pieces. Embodiments of thegame can be played on a playing surface. Referring to FIGS. 1-44,cube-based game pieces that can be utilized with various embodiments ofthe invention are shown. Each piece is either one cubic unit, such asthe single cubic unit piece as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or is made ofmultiple cubic units, such as the game pieces shown in FIGS. 3-44.Referring to the game pieces shown in FIGS. 1-44, none of the gamepieces have more than two cubic units along a given side. In a preferredembodiment, the dimensions of the game pieces do not exceed two cubicunits along any side, and, therefore, do not exceed 2 by 2 by 2 cubicunits. Additional embodiments can utilize game pieces having no morethan N cubic units along a side, where n is an integer. In a furtherspecific embodiment, N=3, such that there are game pieces with 3 cubicunits along 1, 2, or 3 sides, but no game piece exceeds dimensions of 3by 3 by 3 cubic units.

The game pieces may be constructed from various materials, such asplastic, wood, metal, ceramic, or the like. In one embodiment, the gamepieces are made from injection molded plastic. It is preferred that eachplayer's set of game pieces be a different color or have some featuresthat distinguish one player's pieces from the other. Specificembodiments can allow players to share a common game piece set, wherethe pieces can, optionally, be the same color and/or have other featuresin common.

In an embodiment, each player is assigned a plurality of game piecesthat form the player's set. In a specific embodiment, each player's setis composed of a number “o” of the single cubic unit piece, as shown inFIGS. 1-2, a number “p” of the double cubic unit piece, as shown inFIGS. 3-4, a number “q” of the triple cubic unit piece, as shown inFIGS. 5-6, a number “r” of the quadruple cubic unit piece A, as shown inFIGS. 7-9, a number “s” of the quadruple cubic unit piece B, as shown inFIGS. 10-11, a number “t” of the quadruple cubic unit piece C, as shownin FIGS. 12-16, a number “u” of the quadruple cubic unit piece D, asshown in FIGS. 17-21, a number “v” of the quintuple cubic unit piece A,as shown in FIGS. 22-25, a number “w” of the quintuple cubic unit pieceB, as shown in FIGS. 26-30, a number “x” of the sextuple cubic unitpiece A, as shown in FIGS. 31-33, a number “y” of the sextuple cubicunit piece B, as shown in FIGS. 34-38, and a number “z” of the sextuplecubic unit piece C, as shown in FIGS. 39-44, where o≦4, p≦6, q≦6, r≦4,s≦2, t≦2, u≦2, v≦2, w≦2, x≦2, y≦2, and z≦2.

In a further embodiment, each player is assigned a set of game pieceswhere o=1, p=3, q=3, r=2, s=1, t=1, u=1, v=1, w=1, x=1, y=1, and z=1. Inanother embodiment, each player is assigned a set of game pieces whereo=2, p=4, q=4, r=2, s=1, t=1, u=1, v=1, w=1, x=1, y=1, and z=1. In yetanother embodiment, each player is assigned a set of game pieces whereo=4, p=6, q=6, r=4, s=2, t=2, u=2, v=2, w=2, x=2, y=2, and z=2.

In a further embodiment, where two teams of two players on a team playagainst each other, each team is provided a set of game pieces whereo=2, p=6, q=5, r=4, s=2, t=2, u=2, v=2, w=2, x=2, y=2, and z=2. In afurther specific embodiment, such a game is played with a playingboundary of 5 cubic unit lengths by 5 cubic unit lengths (L=5, M=5). Ina further specific embodiment, the players can move such that the teamstake turns and the players on each team take turns when it is theirteam's turn, such that all four players move in a repetitive pattern.

Any description containing a reference to a “top” or “bottom” is to beconstrued in the following manner: the direction toward the playingsurface is defined as the bottom, and the direction toward the highestlevel to which game pieces are stacked is defined as the top. Similarly,references to the “height” of the structure formed by the game pieces isto be construed as how many cubic units the game pieces are stacked ascounting from the playing surface to the uppermost game piece.

Referring to FIGS. 45-48, specific embodiments of the game arepreferably played on a playing surface. In an embodiment shown in FIGS.45-48, the playing surface is a 10 cubic unit diameter circular surface.If desired, the playing surface may be rotatable about an axis passingthrough the center thereof. Such a rotating playing surface can allow aplayer to rotate the stacked pieces to view the stacked pieces fromvarious angles without having to move his or her eyes around the stackedpieces. Embodiments implemented via electronic devices can allowrotation of the stacked pieces as well to allow a player to view thestacked pieces from various angles. The playing surface may beconstructed from plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, or the like. In apreferred embodiment, the playing surface is made from injection moldedplastic. In a specific embodiment, the game can be on any availablesurface, and a playing surface need not be provided. If a playingsurface is provided, the playing surface need not have any indicationsof the playing boundaries. In specific embodiments, the playing surfacehas a pattern showing the boundaries of play, e.g., outer boundary. Infurther specific embodiments, square cells corresponding in size to thedimensions of the cubic units that the game pieces are based on can beincluded, as shown in FIG. 47. In still further embodiments, a portionof grid pattern shown in FIG. 47 can be provided, such as the gridpattern without the outer boundary, the points of intersection of theinner grid lines, the four corners of the outer boundary. The gridpattern can facilitate the placement of game pieces at proper positionsand orientations. In one embodiment, the grid pattern is a square gridthat is 4 by 4 cubic units, as shown in FIG. 47. Other embodiments arecontemplated that are greater or less than 4 by 4 cubic units, as wellas embodiments having a grid pattern that is a rectangular shape or anon-regular shape. In a specific embodiment, the playing boundary is2N×2N, where N is the maximum number of cubic units along a side of thegame pieces. In another embodiment, the playing boundary has dimensionsof L×M, where L and M are not necessarily equal to each other and areboth greater than or equal to 2n.

The game pieces, game piece set storage bags, playing surface, andinstructions for playing the game may be supplied together in the formof a kit. Other kits may include, for example, game pieces andinstructions; game pieces and playing surface; game pieces, playingsurface, and instructions; game pieces and game piece storage bag, orbags; game pieces, game piece storage bag, or bags, and instructions;and game pieces, game piece storage bag, or bags, instructions, andplaying surface. In any of these kits having a playing surface andinstructions, the instructions can be separate from the playing surfaceor attached to the playing surface, such as printed on the back of theplaying surface.

In a standard two-player game, each player is given a set of cubic gamepieces. Players take turns selecting pieces from their set and placingthem in such a way as to prevent their opponent from making a legalplay. When a player is unable to play a piece, the opponent wins thegame in a two player game or if only one other player remains in thegame, or the player is eliminated if two or more other players areremaining in the game. In other embodiments, game play is not limited totwo players and may occur between three or more individual players orteams of players.

According to a preferred embodiment, each player is given a set of cubicgame pieces, the dimensions of which are comprised of and include atleast one single cube shaped unit. By combining unit cubes in variousarrangements, the assortment of game pieces is formed. In an embodiment,the game is played on a rotating platform for the ease of playerobservation and/or turn-taking, although any flat surface is sufficient.Play begins by one player placing a piece onto the gaming surface.Following plays are made in sequential order, alternating between two ormore players, with one piece being placed per turn. In a particularembodiment, no player can place a single unit piece or a double unitpiece (i.e., a composite piece composed of exactly two cubic units)until that player has already played a predetermined number of turns. Alegal play involves placing a game piece so that at least one singlecubic unit surface of the piece touches another. Furthermore, a legalplay cannot result in one or more cubic units of a piece extending overa grid square to create a void in the layer immediately below it;rather, each cubic unit of a piece must be supported by a previouslyplaced game piece that is immediately beneath it. A played piece cannotexceed the specified boundaries, the dimensions of which are defined interms of multiples of cube unit and the location of which is determinedby the placement of initial game pieces. As an example, in an embodimentwhere the dimensions of the playing boundaries are defined, but playingboundaries are not before play begins, limitations as to the location ofthe playing boundaries can result from the placement of the initialpieces, such that future play must be played such that a playingboundary with the predetermined dimensions could be drawn around theprevious played pieces and the newly played piece. Other embodiments candefine the dimensions and the location of the playing boundaries beforeplay begins, such as defining the playing boundaries by the grid on theplaying surface. Play continues until a player cannot make a legal play,at which time he or she is eliminated.

In one embodiment, the winning player is determined by assigning a pointvalue to each game piece. When a player can no longer make a legal play,that player's score is calculated by adding the point values of eachpiece that the player played. The winning player can then be defined asthe player with the highest score, or in the alternative, the lowestscore. In another specific embodiment, each player starts with a certainnumber of points to be subtracted from, it is predetermined how manypoints are needed to win a match, or it is predetermined how many gameswill be played, and at the end of each game, the winner of the game getsthe points added up from the losing player's unplayed pieces eithersubtracted from a starting total or added up. In this way, after acertain number of games, a winner of the match is determined, or after atotal number of points for one player exceeds the predetermined number,a winner of the match is determined.

In another embodiment, a legal move requires that a player set down agame piece so that it comes into contact with not just one game piece,but two or more pieces. In a further embodiment, these two or more gamepieces belong to separate players. Alternatively, these two or more gamepieces belong to the same player, who may or may not be the player whoseturn it is. Because it is impossible for a game piece to touch twopieces until the game board is populated by game pieces from previousplayers' turns, this rule does not go into effect until at least twoturns have elapsed. In a specific embodiment, once four turns haveelapsed (i.e., each player has placed two pieces), each player mustplace subsequent pieces such that two of the opponent's pieces aretouched by the placed piece.

In other embodiments, the rules at the start of the game require theplayer who makes the opening move to place a particular game piece fromtheir set that is predetermined. In another embodiment, the opening gamepiece may or may not be predetermined, but the player who makes theopening move must place a game piece in a particular position withrespect to the playing boundaries that is predetermined. In a furtherspecific embodiment, a unique piece that is different from the pieces inthe set provided to the players, and/or independent piece not from oneof the set of pieces provided to the players is used as a starter piecefor the game, either before the first player places a piece or as thepiece placed by the first player.

In one embodiment, the structure that is formed upon the playing surfaceis limited in height to a certain predetermined number of cubic units.In another embodiment, vertical construction of the structure is limitedin that a lower layer must be completely occupied with game piecesbefore players can build vertically. The thickness of this lower layeris dictated by the maximum number of cubic units that a game pieceextends in any one direction. For example, in embodiments with gamepieces limited to dimensions of 2 by 2 by 2 cubic units, this lowerlayer would be 2 cubic units in height.

In other embodiments, game play occurs via software on an electronicdevice, such as a computer, tablet, PDA, arcade, video gaming system,smart phone, or handheld device. These embodiments can offer additionalfeatures compared with embodiments using physical game pieces, such asthe ability for players to share in a single game across a network.Networked game play means that players need not be in the same room, oreven the same continent for that matter. Players can also play networkedgames where one or more players uses a game set with physical pieces andjust places the piece the other player(s) make on the playing surfacebeing used by that player, where optioning video of the game pieces,e.g., via Skype or other video link, can be provided to other player(s)to allow them to view the played game pieces and/or the remainingavailable game pieces. Alternatively, some software embodiments areexecuted on the same particular electronic device, and players takingturns on that device can be in close proximity to each other or caninteract with the electronic device at different times and/or places. Inany embodiment in which game play occurs via software on an electronicdevice, one or more of the “players” may be a non-human player, such asa computer-controlled based player that is capable of reacting to otherplayers' moves. Such moves can be based on strategy or just based onpredetermined moves in, for example, a database or look-up table, andcan, optionally, take into account skill level. Such computer-controlledplayers can be based on artificial intelligence (AI) if desired. Inspecific embodiments that support an AI player, the one or more humanplayers are able to select the difficulty of the AI player such that alower or “easy” difficulty results in an AI that makes relativelyunintelligent moves with little strategic value, but as the AI'sdifficulty setting is increased, the AI player's moves have increasinglymore strategic value.

Aspects of the invention, such as receiving input recording a player'smoves, displaying played game pieces, displaying remaining game pieces,making computer-controlled moves as a player, determining moves for acomputer-controlled player, and monitoring whether game rules areadhered to, may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed with a variety of computer-system configurations, includingmultiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable-consumerelectronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Anynumber of computer-systems and computer networks are acceptable for usewith the present invention.

Specific hardware devices, programming languages, components, processes,protocols, and numerous details including operating environments and thelike are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. In other instances, structures, devices, and processes areshown in block-diagram form, rather than in detail, to avoid obscuringthe present invention. But an ordinary-skilled artisan would understandthat the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. Computer systems, servers, work stations, and other machinesmay be connected to one another across a communication medium including,for example, a network or networks.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, embodiments of the presentinvention may be embodied as, among other things: a method, system, orcomputer-program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the formof a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware. In an embodiment, the present inventiontakes the form of a computer-program product that includescomputer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia.

Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media,transient and non-transient media, removable and nonremovable media, andcontemplate media readable by a database, a switch, and various othernetwork devices. By way of example, and not limitation,computer-readable media comprise media implemented in any method ortechnology for storing information. Examples of stored informationinclude computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules,and other data representations. Media examples include, but are notlimited to, information-delivery media, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memoryor other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD),holographic media or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic storagedevices. These technologies can store data momentarily, temporarily, orpermanently.

The invention may be practiced in distributed-computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed-computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer-storage media including memory storage devices. Thecomputer-useable instructions form an interface to allow a computer toreact according to a source of input. The instructions cooperate withother code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to datareceived in conjunction with the source of the received data.

The present invention may be practiced in a network environment such asa communications network. Such networks are widely used to connectvarious types of network elements, such as routers, servers, gateways,and so forth. Further, the invention may be practiced in a multi-networkenvironment having various, connected public and/or private networks.

Communication between network elements may be wireless or wireline(wired). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,communication networks may take several different forms and may useseveral different communication protocols. And the present invention isnot limited by the forms and communication protocols described herein.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments describedherein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modificationsor changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in theart and are to be included within the spirit and purview of thisapplication.

1. A method of playing a game, comprising: a) providing a first playerwith a first plurality of game pieces; b) providing a second player witha second plurality of game pieces, wherein each game piece of the firstplurality of game pieces and each game piece of the second plurality ofgame pieces is either a single cubic unit piece or a composite piece,wherein each composite piece is comprised of two or more cubic units,wherein a cubic unit is defined as a cube where each edge of the cubehas a length of a cubic unit length, wherein each composite piece has alength, width, and height each less than or equal to N cubic unitlengths; c) placing an initial game piece from the first plurality ofgame pieces onto a playing surface by the first player according to aset of rules; d) placing a subsequent game piece from the secondplurality of game pieces onto the playing surface by the second playeraccording to the set of rules; e) placing a subsequent game piece fromthe first plurality of game pieces onto the playing surface by the firstplayer according to the set of rules; and f) repeating d) and e) untilan end-of-game condition is met according to the set of rules.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting the firstplayer, wherein the first player places the initial game piece.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: declaring a winningplayer.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of rulescomprises: the initial game piece is placed by the first player suchthat the first player chooses the placement of the initial game pieceand such that no portion of the initial game piece hangs over theplaying surface to create a void, and wherein the initial game piece isa composite piece comprised of three or more cubic units; and thesubsequent game pieces are placed such that at least one face of one ofthe cubic units of the subsequent game piece is aligned to a face of acubic unit of at least one previously placed game piece that thesubsequent game piece is placed immediately adjacent to and/or directlyon top of, and no portion of the subsequent game piece hangs over theplaying surface or a previously placed game piece to create a void. 5.The method according to claim 2, wherein the set of rules furthercomprises: the subsequent game piece is placed such that the subsequentgame piece is immediately adjacent to and/or directly on top of at leastone previously placed game piece that was placed by the opposing player.6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of rules furthercomprises: the end-of-game condition is that the first player or secondplayer cannot place a subsequent game piece according to the rules. 7.The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of rules furthercomprises: wherein when the end-of-game condition is triggered assigninga winning player points based on pieces remaining unplayed by a losingplayer, playing additional games until either the first player or thesecond player is assigned points totaling above a predetermined number.8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing aplaying surface.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the playingsurface comprises: a grid, wherein the grid is comprised of a pluralityof square cells wherein each side of each cubic unit length, of squarecells of the plurality of square cells has a length of one cubic unitlength, wherein an outer boundary of the grid is rectangular, whereinthe outer boundary of the grid has dimensions of L and M cubic unitlengths, where L≧2N and M≧2N.
 10. The method according to claim 1,wherein N=2.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein N=3.
 12. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein N=2, L=4, and M=4.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the set of rules further comprises: aftera predetermined number of subsequent pieces have been placed, eachsubsequent game piece placed thereafter is immediately adjacent toand/or directly on top of at least two previously placed game pieces.14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined numberof subsequent pieces is three, wherein the at least two previouslyplaced game pieces are two of the subsequent pieces placed by the otherplayer.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least twopreviously placed game pieces were not all placed by the first playerand were not all placed by the second player.
 16. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein all pieces of the first plurality of game pieceshave a first identifying feature, wherein all pieces of the secondplurality of game pieces have a second identifying feature, wherein thefirst identifying feature and the second identifying feature areselected from the group consisting of color, composite material, atleast one letter, at least one number, at least one word, opacity,luminosity, at least one symbol, at least one logo, and at least oneartwork.
 17. The method according to claim 4, wherein the set of rulesfurther comprises: the initial game piece is a predetermined piece of afirst plurality of pieces and/or is placed on a predetermined locationon the playing surface.
 18. The method according to claim 4, wherein theset of rules further comprises: subsequent game pieces are placed suchthat the subsequent game piece does not extend above a height of apredetermined number of cubic units lengths.
 19. A non-transitory mediastorage device having machine-readable instructions stored thereon forperforming a method of playing a game between two or more players, themethod comprising: a) providing a first player with a first plurality ofgame pieces; b) providing a second player with a second plurality ofgame pieces, wherein each game piece of the first plurality of gamepieces and each game piece of the second plurality of game pieces iseither a single cubic unit piece or a composite piece, wherein eachcomposite piece is comprised of two or more cubic units, wherein a cubicunit is defined as a cube where each edge of the cube has a length of acubic unit length, wherein each composite piece has a length, width, andheight each less than or equal to N cubic unit lengths; c) placing aninitial game piece from the first plurality of game pieces onto aplaying surface by the first player according to a set of rules; d)placing a subsequent game piece from the second plurality of game piecesonto the playing surface by the second player according to the set ofrules; e) placing a subsequent game piece from the first plurality ofgame pieces onto the playing surface by the first player according tothe set of rules; and f) repeating d) and e) until an end-of-gamecondition is met according to the set of rules.
 20. A gaming apparatus,comprising: a first plurality of game pieces; a second plurality of gamepieces, wherein each game piece of the first plurality of game piecesand each game piece of the second plurality of game pieces is either asingle cubic unit piece or a composite piece, wherein each compositepiece is comprised of two or more cubic units, wherein cubic unit isdefined as a cube where each edge of the cube has a length of cubic unitlength, wherein each composite piece has a length, width, and heighteach less than or equal to N cubic unit lengths.